Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Click an icon for more information or click here for a key to all icons.
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling mostly as snow on higher terrain, rain on low-to-middle elevations, may turn to sleet or rain higher up.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards.
Cold
Air temperature below 0C all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 23rd January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales widespread across all mountain areas, powerful turbulent gusts downslope toward the west in places. Prolonged upland snow southeastern Highlands into southern Cairngorms, increasingly rain to mid-heights. Further rain also spreads north across Wales then the Pennines. Low cloud widely.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales, severe on tops. Persistent snow, low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 45 to 60mph; strongest wind early morning, nearer 70mph high Cairngorms; strong gusts downslope too. Slight moderating of speed for a few hours early afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging to difficult conditions; mobility challenging in exposure where gusts may knock you over. Severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Snow, constant and heavy east, becoming rain to mid-heights.
Snow likely persistent, constant heavier falls over east and southeastern Cairngorms NP; falling to some lower slopes early in day, but turning to sleet or rain up to 500-700m or locally higher by afternoon. Smaller amounts toward Strathspey, patchy over Monadhliath. Very wet underfoot lower terrain around Deeside, flooding of streams and rivers.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Shrouding the mountains widely, lowest cloud base eastern areas, to low slopes. Bases up to middle to upper slopes around and west of Strathspey, but any Munro summits will struggle to clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, hazy at best, but whiteout conditions over the mountains in cloud and snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-3C on easternmost hills in morning, rising to -1C fairly widely, locally just above 0C in western areas afternoon. Wind chill feels as cold as -17 to -20C.
Freezing Level
500-600m from dawn into the morning, tending to rise gradually to 700-800m, locally higher on some slopes to the west of the Cairngorms.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 24th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 40 to 60mph, powerful gusts downslope west of Cairngorms.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions; walking and balance difficult in exposed areas, buffeting gusts lower down; severe wind chill.
How Wet?
Persistent upland snow east and south
Snow falling most or all day across much of the Cairngorms and areas around Deeside, sleet or rain some lower slopes. Smaller amounts northwestward, very little reaching Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest east
Shrouding the Cairngorms and eastern mountains throughout the day, from mid-slopes upward most south and eastern aspects, higher bases toward Strathspey, occasionally above Monadhliath tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast, dull. Appalling visibility conditions over much higher terrain, better northwest; constant whiteout in cloud and falling or blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C. Directly in the wind feeling like -15 to -18C.
Freezing Level
600 to 700m, but may be slightly lower in eastern areas in the morning; locally higher on some slopes near Strathspey.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 25th January 2026
Last updated
Thu 22nd Jan 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to southeasterly, speed may vary, possibly tending to lessen during day, in range 30 to 50mph, gusty downslope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions may persist over much higher terrain, buffeting gusts lower down. Significant wind chill
How Wet?
Hill snow mostly south and east
Frequent or persistent snow flurries over the Cairngorms and areas to the south and east, sleet or rain on lower slopes. Patchy small amounts toward Strathspey, may be often dry Monadhliath.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Covering much higher terrain all day, lowest cloud base areas accessed from Deeside, to some mid-slopes. Higher base west and north, some breaks above 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, hazy. Poor visibility in snow, whiteout if in fog over snow cover on tops.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or -2C. Feeling like -12 to -15C in the wind.
Freezing Level
600 to 800m, may be slightly higher locally toward western side of Cairngorms.
Planning Outlook
East to southeasterlies continue through the weekend and onward into next week, frequently strong to gale-force over the mountains, giving severe chill factor. Below freezing across high terrain in Scotland, and into early next week a lowering freezing level over hills in England and Wales. Frequent or persistent snowfall over east and southern Scottish mountains, rain on lower slopes causing flooding in the short term. Patchier and small amounts reaching coastal regions in west-northwest Scotland. Areas of rain and increasingly hill snow push across England and Wales as low pressure remains dominant. Low cloud often covering many hills.